Yup, my first real post in like 6 months. Given the asinine preseason power rankings by TSN.ca, I thought a similarly uninformed hockey fan could weigh in on the season as well. Here we go, alphabetically:
Atlanta Thrashhawks
Finish: 10th in East, 3rd in Southeast
Why: They have a mold of proven players that will separate them from the terrible, terrible bottom 5. They may contend for a playoff spot, but it all depends on G Chris Mason.
Boston Bruins
Finish: 3rd in East, 1st in Northeast
Why: Despite crazy injuries last season, still managed to come within a game (and epic collapse) away from the ECF. Between Rask and Thomas, they should be solid in goal. Their scoring is always problematic, but that won't hurt until the playoffs (again).
Buffalo Sabres
Finish: 6th in East, 2nd in Northeast
Why: Not sure what to make of this team, other than I'm reasonably sure there are 5 better teams in the Eastern Conference and 9 worse ones. If Ryan Miller has another stellar year, will probably be higher. I'm thinking playoffs for certain, division title less likely.
Also, huge props for getting rid of the Buffaslug. That alone should give them a game 1 win in a round of their choice.
Carolina Hurricanes
Finish: 12th in East, 4th in Southeast
Why: Because they're not a good team. Need I say more? I hate wasting space on Southeast teams.
Florida Panthers
Finish: 14th in East, 5th in Southeast
Why: Name 5 players on their roster. Can't do it, right? I got Vokoun and McCabe, and that's it. Why is there a hockey team in fucking Miami? If not for Streit's injury, these guys would be a shoo-in for the number 1 pick.
Montreal Canadiens
Finish: 11th in East, 4th in Northeast
Why: Carey Price is a significant downgrade from Jaroslav Halak. Can't see them squeaking into the playoff scene unless several other teams get decimated by injuries.
New Jersey Devils
Finish: 4th in East, 2nd in Atlantic
Why: Because every year you think "Brodeur is too old" or "they just don't have enough in the tank", they always exceed expectations and bring their BORING AS PAINT DRYING style of hockey into the playoffs, where they promptly lose in round 1 or 2. Fuck the Devils, man. I don't care how into them Patrick Warburton is.
New York Islanders
Finish: 15th in East, 5th in Atlantic
Why: They lost their two best players, including Streit for the year. They don't have a shot in hell of being competitive. They're like a bad version of last year's Tampa Bay, and Stamkos won the Rocket Richard trophy for fuck's sake. Tavares would have to put up a Crosby in 2006-esque performance to drag this team into the playoffs. Maybe even 14th place is out of the question.
New York Rangers
Finish: 9th in East, 4th in Atlantic
Why: Because Gaborik has yet to have a season-killing injury under the Rangers, and you know without him they're basically mud. Case in point: Ruslan Fedotenko looks like a good fit for them.
Ottawa Senators
Finish: 8th in East, 3rd in Northeast
Why: Despite shoddy goaltending, team still packs a punch in terms of grit and scoring. Gonchar will produce in his first year for them. This is a team that needs to win this year, or it likely never will (at least with the same core). The Caps might even beat them in the playoffs! Crazier things have happened.
Philadelphia Flyers
Finish: 5th in East, 3rd in Atlantic
Why: Because they have two injury-prone cardboard cutouts in net. Even with one of the best defensive corps in the league, that's still going to hurt them. And gambling on Zherdev is either a great payoff or a miserable failure in the works. Lastly, Simon Gagne will prove to be missed later in the season. His shorthanded threat is not to be underestimated.
Still, they're the reigning Eastern Conference champs, who I fully expect to see the Pens in the playoffs at some point.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Finish: 2nd in East, 1st in Atlantic
Why: Winger for Sid? Who cares, they finished 5th in scoring last season despite dressing Pascal Dupuis and a urinating dog as his two wingers for half the games. What Montreal exposed was a bad defense, containing slow players with poor positional play. So the Pens got Michalek, arguably the best defensive dman on the market, and Paul Martin, another strong dman. If Fleury returns to form this season, they are the clear playoff favorites in the East.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Finish: 7th in East, 2nd in Southeast
Why: Last season showed a lot of strong indications they were a year or two off from true competitiveness. Whether it's because Stamkos has matured greatly, or their d coming into its own (hopefully), Tampa Bay should be right in the mix for a playoff spot. They'll probably lock it up with 2-3 games left. Should be a fun team to watch this year.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Finish: 13th in East, 5th in Northeast
Why: Because it's the Leafs. They're paying Armstrong 3 mil a year. Giguere is their starting goalie. It just isn't happening.
Washington Capitals
Finish: 1st in East, 1st in Southeast
Why: Because despite losing a couple defensemen, this is the same team that won the President's Trophy last season. They have the skills to run away with the conference once again. The only potential downfall is the downgrade (yes Caps fans, downgrade) in net from Theodore to Varlamov/Neuvirth tandem. And if Alzner and the other dude (forgot his name for now) don't progress as quickly as DC hopes, Jurcina and Sloane will be missed. Overall though, I don't see anyone challenging them for the top spot in the East.
Western Conference preview when I feel like it. No playoff predictions now, that would just be stupid.
- Matt
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